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A.G. GancarskiOctober 20, 2015

The situation at Eureka Gardens, the blighted Section 8 apartment complex on Jacksonville’s Westside, has become an embarrassment that has even been addressed by both of Florida’s United States Senators at this point. However, no commentary, up until now, has addressed the spurious nature of the complex’s financing. That changes now. And the blame is […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 14, 2015

Jacksonville’s 400 Unit HUD-funded apartment complex, Eureka Gardens, was one of those things that mysteriously flew below the radar until recently. Even though Jacksonville’s City Council spotlighted the horrific conditions at the complex, going so far as to pass a resolution urging HUD to defund it, the complex’s issues remained. The solutions discussed included adding […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 13, 2015

FloridaPolitics.com caught up with U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and HUD Field Director Alesia Scott-Ford after a meeting with Jacksonville officials regarding Eureka Gardens. The two federal employees were united with a common message: Things will get better in Eureka Gardens, and it will be sooner than later. Scott-Ford pointed out that the issue that facilitated […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 10, 2015

In an email Thursday to city employees, Jacksonville mayor Lenny Curry took stock of his administration thus far. “Today marks my 100th day as Mayor of the City of Jacksonville, and I could not be more proud to lead and serve with you. These past few months have been filled with changes, successes, and challenges, but […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 9, 2015

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To get an idea of how deeply shaken Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has been by the Eureka Gardens code problems, his letters to federal officials give a strong indication. “While I have walked through the doors of my home for nearly 10 years, Friday evening’s entry was unlike any other, as I could not shake […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 5, 2015

At Monday’s NICE Committee meeting, the ongoing public information campaign regarding blight was discussed. Seemed innocuous enough on its surface. In practice, though… The city of Jacksonville’s Director of Blight, Denise Lee, presented the administration’s position regarding the importance of public information, even as committee members, such as Councilman Tommy Hazouri, wanted to know more […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 10, 2015

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has many traditions. One of them, crime prevention walks through neighborhoods with such issues, is going to be continued by new Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams on Saturday. The first Williams walk takes place at 11 a.m. at the Eureka Gardens apartment complex on the Westside. On its Facebook page, the JSO posted […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 23, 2015

By an 18-0 vote, the Jacksonville City Council authorized a resolution urging Housing and Urban Development to defund Eureka Gardens. It seemed clean enough at the time. Bill Sponsor Warren Jones noted that the legislation was being studied in Shelby County, Tennessee, where the same owner had eight properties. Denise Lee added that she wanted to extend […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 29, 2015

The newest District 7 Jacksonville city councilman has a familiar name: Reggie Gaffney. His brother Johnny held the seat almost two full terms, before resigning to run against incumbent Reggie Fullwood in an unsuccessful bid for his state House seat. Reggie Gaffney started on the council during Tuesday’s meeting, a prospect he found “frightening.” He […]

A.G. GancarskiMay 27, 2015

Before Tuesday night’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, there was a scene that was curiously touching. Former District 7 Councilman Johnny Gaffney showed his brother, just-elected Councilman Reggie Gaffney, where he’d be sitting. You probably wouldn’t have seen that had George Spencer beaten Reggie in the election. In that moment, you could see how Johnny might have taught […]

Tag: Eureka Gardens

Jax Housing Finance Authority chair blames Eureka Gardens bond issue on Alvin Brown

Eureka Gardens code inspection reports raise existential questions

Corrine Brown, HUD rep vow action on Eureka Gardens

Lenny Curry celebrates “100 days of progress”

Why Lenny Curry is going to the wall for Eureka Gardens

Sparks fly in Jax NICE Committee

Jax Sheriff Mike Williams taking his debut crime prevention walk Saturday

Jax Council votes for resolution asking HUD to defund Eureka Gardens; controversy ensues

Reggie Gaffney talks faith and Eureka Gardens

Tale of 2 cities, 2 parks: Jacksonville City Council considers public safety